Michael Printup, president of Watkins Glen International, announced earlier today that Jeff Gordon has been named the first member of the Class of 2011 for the Legends of The Glen. In front of local, regional, and international media, Printup presented Gordon with a hand-blown glass vase made by Vitrix Glass of Corning, NY, during an induction ceremony held in the historic road course’s media center. Mike Helton, president of NASCAR, was also in attendance to acknowledge Gordon’s contributions to the sport and join the celebration. Today’s ceremony will not be the last induction that is scheduled to occur during the 2011 season at The Glen.

While there's not much of a winter in the Valley of the Sun, spring - as is the case with most places - still signifies a time of new beginnings: New spring flowers, longer, sunnier days, and a new race season at Phoenix International Raceway...